Simply put, the term heuristics means to find, discover, or determine. In a broader sense, heuristics can be taken to mean a problem solving approach that employs practical methods to form judgement that aids in decision making.
Heuristics were first introduced by two Israeli psychologists, Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman, who divided them into three … [Read more...]

If you use either Windows 10 or macOS Sierra and you have been curious about the other party, or even if you are just considering an upgrade, you have come to the right place.
Two weeks ago, I wrote an article comparing a the two most widely used consumer-oriented desktop operating systems. The article explored differences in the way that the two companies addressed … [Read more...]

The future of the business landscape evolves around technology and its advancements. With rapid changes in the field, businesses have become increasingly dynamic, contextual and personalized. Their design and branding are being altered to reflect the changes taking place. More and more companies are aligning their brand strategy with customer experience to determine … [Read more...]

Applying for a job is never an easy task, and sometimes job applications can be confusing - do they need me to have ALL of those skills? Is it ok if some of my experience was during school and not in work projects?
This article is a practical one - inspired by what we do at my place of work, Springboard, where we have helped thousands of people achieve their UX career … [Read more...]

The conflict between Apple and Microsoft is an age-old affair - one that has been perpetuated by the supporters of either platform for the better part of the twenty-first century (and the tail-end of the twentieth). In fact, the enmity between their fans is only eclipsed by that of Android and iOS supporters.
Sites like Macworld and Windows Central regularly publish … [Read more...]

As a designer, you are likely surrounded by talent of all shapes and sizes, be it branding, marketing, or development. Over the course of your career, however, you may end up needing some of these other talents so as to provide a well-rounded deliverable.
Perhaps the most complimentary skillset to UX design is that of front-end development. If you are just entering the … [Read more...]

During the last few years, we have been witnessing a tremendous shift in the ways brands interact with their customers. The top-down communication style they used to have in the past changed to a continuous dialogue with consumers. The modern concept of branding is more than ever intertwined with experience design.
In users' minds brand identity is inseparable from … [Read more...]

Interactive prototypes are a great way to implement usability testing into the early stages of software development. But are you doing it right? Check out the what, how and why of usability testing with high fidelity prototypes here.
Running usability tests on an interactive prototype can avoid the kind of 11th hour headaches that make software designers' and … [Read more...]

It is no secret that color theory plays a vital role in user experience. From highlighting CTAs to making sure that your text is readable, both the colors you choose and the context in which you show them are crucial to consider. Used correctly, color can evoke a specific reaction in your users and ensure that their experience with your product is as positive as possible. … [Read more...]

Veterans of Usability Geek may remember an article published in 2011 that provided a helpful list of UX and UI guidelines for designers with an interest in platforms developed by the likes of Apple, Google, and SAP.
For years, it has served as the definitive jumping-off point for designers in need of a convenient, curated list with links to UX and UI design guidelines … [Read more...]